England history
Of all the countries in Europe – indeed of all the countries in the world, there is none with so widespread an influence as that of England. For such a small island race it is amazing to think just how wide and far the net of perceived ‘civilisation’ that it cast has fallen – at one point in its turbulent and fascinating history, the English Empire covered more than one quarter of the entire globe. So how did this happen? What factors enabled the English as a race to complete this incredible feat surpassing the achievements of so many other races and empires?
Probably the most important factor of all was geographical location. The English are a sea-faring race and the island we know today as The United Kingdom or Great Britain, was, and still is today, ideally placed as a cross-road for trade – particularly the southern half – which England comprises most of and which is relatively close to the main European continent. Trading by sea was the initial source of English power.
Quick fact!
During the medieval period, even animals were put on trial for the “bad deeds” they committed. They were even punished and sentenced to death once they were proven guilty of their crimes.
Early history
Earliest evidence of habitation by ancient man in England dates back some 800,000 years with flint tools found at a site in Happisburgh in Norfolk, and by the time of the Iron Age most of the area now regarded as England was lived in by modern Homo sapiens like us. At this time the main tribe were known as the Celts but other tribes were also still in England, including the Belgae tribes of the Atrebates, the Catuvellauni and the Trinova.
Continuous habitation of England can be traced back to just after the last Ice-Age – some 12,000 years ago. With the invasion of Britain (as most of the land south of the Firth of Forth was then known as) by the Roman Empire in AD43 came the first real influence on the Britons and Celts with the start of the English road network – which made trade within England more readily available. Roman rule continued throughout Britain until the end of the 5th century. With the end of the Roman Empire came settlers from Germanic lands. These were the Anglo-Saxons and it is from this race that the first real English language is believed to have originated – replacing ancient Briton.
Quick fact!
French was the official language of England from 1066 to 1362.
1215 – 1471
In 1215 possibly the most important document in English history – The Magna Carta (Latin for Great Charter) was signed at Runnymede – a tiny island on the river Thames near Windsor castle – by King John I – a move which effectively reduced from that time forth the dictatorial powers of the Kings and Queens of England and which was ultimately the first step towards democracy.
The reign of The Plantagenet’s continued until 1456 when Henry VI had a mental breakdown – this resulted in The War of The Roses – so named because the House of Lancaster whose symbol was a white rose were pitted against the House of York whose symbol was a red rose. In fact both Houses were branches of the Plantagenet Dynasty. In 1461 Edward IV (Yorkist) is proclaimed King but the throne is reclaimed in 1465 by a now very disturbed Henry VI – however his regal prominence does not last long and in 1471 he is once again sent to the Tower of London (where he had previously been imprisoned), this time however he is murdered while there.
1485 – 1547
With the end of The War of the Roses came the Tudor Dynasty which lasted until 1603 with the death of Elizabeth I. During the Tudor period, one of England’s most well known Kings – Henry VIII was responsible for the establishment of the English navy – which was the most powerful in the world at the time and was set to become a major factor in English influence overseas.
Henry VIII is also well known for his many wives (six in total) and for The Reformation – when England broke away from the doctrine of The Roman Catholic Church and set up The Church of England. This cause of action was called antidisestablishmentarianism and in doing this Henry VIII was also indirectly responsible for creating the longest word in the English language. It was necessary for Henry to do this – since he desperately wanted to remarry and sire a male heir, yet the Roman Catholic Church would not let him divorce his first wife – Catherine of Aragon.
1607 – 1660
In 1607 the English colonized North America – and initially the settler’s there were left to pretty much rule themselves (unlike the Spanish and French colonies which were under strictly authoritarian rule) in time however, impositions – particularly taxation would result in the American War of Independence from 1775 -1783.
Meanwhile in England itself, civil war broke out in 1642 when conflict between James’s son Charles I and Parliament resulted in the Battle of Naseby of 1646 when Royalist forces were defeated by the New Model Army of Parliament. Charles surrendered to the Scottish army at Newark near Nottingham and was eventually handed over to the Parliamentary forces early in 1647 – however he escaped but his freedom was short-lived – he was recaptured and in 1649 was beheaded – resulting in England becoming a Republic for the only period in its history and ruled by Oliver Cromwell under the title Lord Protector – until his death in 1658, when his son Richard Cromwell succeeded him – albeit briefly – since the monarchy was re-established in 1660 with Charles II taking the throne.
Quick fact!
The first ever chocolate house (shop) was opened in London in 1657.
1689 – 1707
In December 1689 the Bill of Rights was passed. This was another of the most important documents in English history since it restricted Royal prerogative and powers over parliament, again ensuring a more democratic future. The country had been in a period of turmoil with many concerned that a Catholic heir to the throne might once again be a real threat to the Protestant way of life – in 1685 after the death of Charles II, his heir and Catholic brother King James II and VII was crowned King of England. Many did not like this and wanted the King’s Protestant daughter Mary and her husband King William III of Orange (the Dutch King) to rule instead.
The ‘Glorious Revolution’ took place in 1688 when William invaded and took the throne. This also resulted in further expansion to the influence of the English navy and conveniently reduced the power of the Dutch navy at the same time. This ‘Revolution’ permanently ended the chance of Catholicism ever being the main religion of England.
In 1707 the Acts of Union effectively united both the governments of England and Scotland with governmental power being wielded at The Palace of Westminster in London. Two countries that had been previously hostile to each other were finally joined and would make a force to be reckoned with from that day forth.
With the death of Queen Anne in 1707 the Stuart dynasty ended and the House of Hanover ruled in the form of George I who was Anne’s 2nd cousin. Despite numerous attempts at this time to put another Stuart back on the throne, the House of Hanover persisted and a new era of English history – the Georgian period began.
Quick fact!
Windsor castle is the oldest and largest royal residence in the world still in use.
Late 18th century – present
With the late 18th century in England came The Industrial Revolution – a period of intense growth, productivity and invention in which England and Great Britain led the world. Labour laws were introduced and many former agricultural workers were displaced from their country jobs and forced by economic necessity to work in large, mechanised factories which had the ability to under-cut prices by manufacturing articles in bulk. Thus the wealth of England grew further still and her empire abroad flourished as trade needs dictated that merchandise be brought back to England’s factories and mills from further and further around the globe.
More recently in 1914, England, along with the Allied Powers was victorious in the global conflict known as World War I – which resulted in the eventual surrender of the German, Austro Hungarian, Ottoman and Bulgarian Empires. This War had the largest number of casualties of any conflict. In 1939 England and Great Britain were once again at war as part of the victorious Allied Forces – this time against Hitler’s Nazi Germany.
Today, England remains an integral part of The United Kingdom and Great Britain and is now part of The European Union as well as a founder member of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation). England is still regarded as a major political and economic force.
English language and culture
Culture of England
England has one of the most intriguing and extensive histories in the world. England has been a world power for centuries and has colonized many countries and regions. The area of England has been inhabited for hundreds of thousands of years. Stonehenge and the Kent Caverns hold signs of the ancient Britons and Celtic people that lived so very long ago. As the Romans conquered Britain, renaming it Britannia, civilization flourished. The Normans invaded Britain in 1066, followed by the rule of the House of Plantagenet and the rise of the Tudor dynasty. With a lavish and diverse history, England’s cultural influences are vast.
Festivals and traditions
Religious holidays as well as national holidays and historically significant traditions are celebrated throughout Great Britain. Christmas, Easter and specific holidays for saints are all widely celebrated. National holidays include Remembrance Day, the Trooping of the Colors and Guy Fawkes Night. Remembrance Day is a day set aside to honor those who have fallen in English wars. At 11:00AM on Remembrance Day all of England joins together for a few minutes of silence to honor the fallen.
The Queen of England also leads a procession of military forces and veterans. The Trooping of the Colors is the day that the English celebrate the Queen’s birthday. There is a large parade of soldiers and many festivities that take place in the Queen’s honor. Guy Fawkes Night takes place on the 5th of November. The English light bonfires and have fireworks displays to remember Guy Fawkes’ attempt to blow up King James and Parliament in 1605.
Cuisine
English cuisine is famous for its simplicity and heartiness. Traditional English food consists of natural produce, game, bread and dairy products. Fish and chips is one of the most popular dishes for British people, consisting of fried fish and fried potatoes fries. Meat pies are another popular English food. Meat pies are typically made from one or more meats (pork, beef, chicken), carrots, onions and sometimes mushrooms. A type of pastry dough surrounds most pies; however, some meat pies are topped with mashed potatoes.
Along with the typical English breakfast (eggs, grilled tomatoes, sausage, bubble and squeak), the most common thing that the English enjoy is a good cup of tea. Despite common misconceptions the English do not drop everything for an afternoon tea; tea is consumed throughout the day with various scones and cookies. Enjoying a good pint at a local pub is also quintessentially English.
Sports
Sports are an extremely important aspect of English culture. Football, cricket and rugby are all extremely popular. Football supporters revel in the various victories and defeats of their team. With both regional and national leagues, the Football Association governs football throughout the country. There are several professional leagues in England including the Premier League and the Football League.
Cricket is another extremely popular sport in Britain. There are hundreds of cricket clubs and associations throughout the country. Although the origins of the game are widely debated, modern-day cricket was certainly created in England. Rugby, much like football, is governed and controlled by various rugby associations within England. The Rugby Union and the Rugby League are the primary institutions for the sport. England’s national rugby team takes part in the Six Nations championship every year. Lacrosse, field hockey, badminton, golf and tennis are also extremely popular in England.
Literature
England has one of the most lavish and eldest literary histories in the world dating back to Anglo-Saxon literature from 450A.D. Beowulf is the oldest and most famous works produced in England during the Anglo-Saxon period.
The printing press’ arrival in England in 1476 made it possible for literature to be spread throughout the entire kingdom. The Reformation is one of the first times that pamphlets and individual works were spread to all levels of society. Elizabethan England produced a wide variety of poetic and dramatic forms including the works of William Shakespeare.
The 17th and 18th century brought about romantic poets like Alexander Pope, Edward Young and Jonathan Swift. There are so many noted English authors that have touched the lives of millions. Jane Austen, Lord Byron, Charles Dickens, H.G. Wells, Virginia Wolfe and Henry James are just some of the important writers and poets whose works are still widely read today throughout the world.
Music
English music has been extremely influential in many cultures and civilizations worldwide. Early English music was primarily religious, especially with the Protestant Reformation. England’s traditional music is basically the medieval music that has been passed down through generations orally and through written lore.
Popular instruments in traditional music include lutes, dulcimers, harpsichords and bagpipes. Through the Industrial Revolution, the two World Wars, and the introduction of electricity, music has become a mainstay in English culture. Famous modern English bands include the Beatles, the Spice Girls, the Sex Pistols, David Bowie, Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones and Amy Winehouse. Music from England has influenced young musicians from all over the world.
Languages of England
England has English as the official language; it is spoken by more than 95% of the population. The officially recognized minority languages include Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Cornish and Irish.
The common immigrant languages spoken by a substantial portion of the population include Polish, Gujarati, Urdu, Bengali, Punjabi, Arabic and French.
England weather
England has a temperate climate with no temperature extremes or considerable variations throughout the four seasons. Sea and ocean currents contribute to the generally unpredictable English weatherand the dreaded “partly cloudy” forecast everyone got used to.
Spring in England
The average temperature in March stands at 7°C and goes up to 13°C by the end of May. Some days may get really chilly, however, and for that reason you should have a warm sweater or a coat packed in your suitcase. It would be wise to carry an umbrella with you at all times, especially if you’ll be out sightseeing for the entire day.
Summer in England
Like all other seasons, summer weather is very unpredictable in England. The average maximum is 22°C, while the lowest temperatures rarely drop below 13°C. You may be surprised to leave your hotel on a wonderful sunny morning and come back soaking wet a few hours later! Pack an umbrella and always keep it with you to prevent this from happening; also, don’t forget your jacket and long sleeve shirt.
Autumn in England
The first month of autumn is very pleasant, although the weather gets really chilly and precipitation increases towards mid-October. Average temperatures range between 15°C and 7°C – you should pack a warmer jacket or a coat, along with sweaters and appropriate footwear. It goes without saying that an umbrella or a raincoat will come in handy should the weather take you by surprise.
Winter in England
Temperatures often drop to 0°C in January, although it’s very unlikely you’ll be freezing, especially in London, where winter weather isn’t that harsh. Rainfall is very frequent in December, whereas heavy snowfalls and frosts are uncommon during this season. A warm sweater, a nice pair of boots and an overcoat will make for comfort when out and about.
Average temperatures in London, Liverpool and Bristol
Average rainfall in London, Liverpool and Bristol
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